071 Birds and Eggs from Cape York. 51 



naturalists have been more fortunate ; but surely, in face of 

 the almost complete absence from ornithological literature 

 of the accounts of the behaviour of these birds on land, the 

 observations of these others will hardly come amiss. 



IV. — On some Birds and Eggs lately collected at Cape York, 

 Queensland, by Mr. H. G. Barnard. By D. Le SouiiF, 

 Melbourne. 



(Plate I.) 



1. Talegallus purpureicollis sp. nov. Cape York. 

 (Barnard's Talegallus.) 



This species is found in the Cape York Peninsula. Mr. K. 

 Broadbent observed it during his extended visit there some 

 years ago. Mr. Jardine, of Somerset, Cape York, and Mr. H. 

 G. Barnard have lately noticed the variation between it and 

 the southern form, and the latter has kindly sent me some 

 skins. The principal difference between the two birds is in 

 the coloration of the lower portion of the neck and wattles, 

 which in Talegallus purpureicollis (the name by which I 

 propose to call it) is of a purplish white, and in Talegallus 

 lathami red, with yellow wattles. Otherwise the birds are 

 very similar : but, as Mr. H. G. Barnard says, " anyone who 

 has seen the bird in life will at once observe the difference." 

 The bright colours soon fade on the death of the bird, 

 and the difference is not then so noticeable, although it can 

 still be observed. During the breeding-season, from October 

 until January, the wattle of the male is li inch in length, 

 hanging from the lower portion of the neck. When the 

 breeding-season is over the wattle shrinks and disappears ; it 

 is then more difficult to tell the male from the female when 

 seen in the scrub. 



The total length of the adult male is 29 inches, wing 16 

 inches, and leg 11 inches. Its head and upper portion of 

 the neck red, lower portion of the neck, with wattles, whitish 

 purple ; eyes very light brown, almost white ; bill black ; 

 feet and legs dark brown ; the upper surface is blackish 



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